Monday, 2 May 2011

2011 Punchestown Festival Day 1 - Boylesports Champion Chase


5.30 Fairyhouse
Boylesports.com Champion Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)
Winner €86,800

Pick: Sizing Europe (win)

Big Zeb: Has always had talent to produce great performances (as he showed when he should have beaten Masterminded but for a horrible mistake at the last 2 years ago in this race) and finally put it all together when winning 4 out of his 5 starts last year, capped off by a devastating six length win in Champion Chase; Shown largely the same form this season in beating arch –rival Golden Silver but Finally suffered defeat to latter named opponent last time when outstayed on heavy ground (hit front too soon); Reversed form in no uncertain terms when clear second in Champion Chase, although he’ll have to improve a lot to reverse the form.

Captain Cee Bee: Hasn't had much luck since landing the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 08’ but obviously top class and put together a slick round of jumping when winning Champion Novices Chase at this meeting last year, salvaging deserved success from his debut chasing season after a very poor round of jumping (admittedly with a burst blood vessel) led to an 8th place finish in the Arkle; Made light work of easy return in the Poplar Square Chase but jumped as if something amiss when last of four in the Dial- a - Bet Chase; Better ground brought better performance when fourth in Champion Chase, although first three reopposes today.

Changing Cars: Hasn’t proven too successful over cross country fences and acting as pacemaker here for Sizing Europe.

Golden Silver: Clear cut winner of this last year, when the ground was heavy (Big Zeb absent, Sizing Euope third; Well beaten behind Big Zeb first time up and same story at Christmas, but finally got the better of that rival when outstaying him in the Tied Cottage Chase 2 runs ago; Form reversed on good ground in Champion Chase and hard to see him retaining his crown.

Sizing Europe: Recouped former promise (should have won 2008 Champion Hurdle) over fences last season, completing a stunning 5 timer in the Arkle; Stepped up in trip to open company, but unable to cut much ice (excused); Little disappointing when travelling well on return to this trip only to be well beaten third behind Big Zeb and Golden Silver, but turned that form right around (back onto good ground) when bolting up in Champion Chase last time out; Should be hard to beat here if repeating that form.

J’y Vole: Fine third in Ryanair last year and unlucky not to get even closer considering the interference that she suffered at the home turn ;Not gone close to that sort of form since, and last success was Feb 2010; Only respectable run in Rynair latest and drop back in trip likely to be too much.

VERDICT: SIZING EUROPE, so dominant when bolting up in the Champion Chase at the Festival, can once again beat Big Zeb, Captain Cee Bee & Golden Silver

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